Original Item: Only One Available. Another original item from the nautical collection purchased from an English museum this is a fine early 19th century, perhaps even Georgian (1714-1830), single draw brass telescope with a leather body covering and extendable brass glare shield.
Measuring 21″ when fully compressed this opens to almost 40″ when fully extended.
The brass tube engraved DOLLOND, LONDON, DAY OR NIGHT and CUSTOMS 1849.
The Optic is now misty and blurred, with a crack in the eyepiece lens only discernable when taken apart but no doubt could benefit from a servicing.
A high quality and expensive instrument that was presumably pressed into service by H.M. Customs and Excise in 1849 perhaps even having been seized from some vessel running contraband. The taxmen always win!